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“A big problem” – Mikel Arteta fires warning to Arsenal players with “really bad approach” 13 December 2025 at 02:30

“A big problem” – Mikel Arteta fires warning to Arsenal players with “really bad approach”

13 December 2025 at 02:30

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has fired a clear warning to any of his players thinking about the World Cup next summer over the good of their club.

Speaking at his press conference on Friday, Arteta was asked by reporters about the situation of players like Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus, who aren’t necessarily getting as many minutes as they might want.

Nwaneri might have an outside chance of making it into the England squad for next summer’s tournament, but he’s currently struggling to get much first-team action with Arsenal, starting only three games so far this season, with none of those coming in the Premier League.

See the video below, however, as Arteta brushed off questions about Nwaneri and Jesus by insisting it would be a “really bad approach” for any of his players to be looking ahead to the World Cup now…

? Mikel Arteta warns Arsenal players that if their priority is the World Cup then "we're going to have a BIG problem" ?? pic.twitter.com/LUGCMFn2O8

— CaughtOffside (@caughtoffside) December 12, 2025

Mikel Arteta’s World Cup warning to Arsenal players

When asked at first about Nwaneri’s role in the team, Arteta defended his record of giving the 18-year-old a lot of chances at such an early stage in his career.

He said: “Probably looking at where he is, 18 years old, 50 appearances for the club.

“I want to see how many examples there are in English football with that number at that age.”

Ethan Nwaneri in action for Arsenal (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

When asked about players like Nwaneri and Jesus and the World Cup, Arteta made it very clear it would be a big problem for him if anyone in his squad put that competition ahead of the rest of the season for Arsenal now.

Arsenal make decision on versatile star’s future after enquiry from several clubs

CaughtOffside

By:Saikat

12 December 2025 at 23:15

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has been linked with a move away from the club in recent months.

The Brazilian recently returned to action after a lengthy injury layoff. According to a report from Fichajes, several clubs have made enquiries for the player, and there is no shortage of interest in him.

Arsenal not keen on selling Gabriel Jesus

However, Arsenal view him as an important player, and they are unwilling to sanction his departure. The former Manchester City striker is versatile enough to operate in multiple attacking roles, and Mikel Arteta believes that he could be an important player for Arsenal during the second half of the campaign.

Arsenal are pushing for the league title, and they will look to do well in the UEFA Champions League as well. They need more quality and cutting-edge in the final third.

Jesus could prove to be very useful for them. Arsenal signed Viktor Gyokeres during the summer transfer window, but the Swedish International has not been at his best this season. It is clear that he needs more support in the attack. Holding onto the Brazilian attacker, at least until the end of the season, would be a wise decision.

Can Jesus secure regular game time?

Gabriel Jesus in action for Arsenal last season (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Jesus will look to play regularly in the coming months as well. It remains to be seen whether he can convince the manager to hand him a prominent role in the team. He has the quality and the experience to make a big difference for Arsenal in the final third over the next few months.

If he struggles to hold down a regular starting spot, he could then move on at the end of the season. However, selling him in January could prove to be a mistake, and Arsenal are certainly not keen on that.

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